SAFE ENOUGH
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I share a concept that I call, "safe enough" - which is a game-changing approach to working with our nervous system - in a world that can sometimes feel wicked scary.
I break down how the main question our nervous system is always asking is, "Am I safe?"
And then explore the different ways we often react to perceived physical and/or psychological threats – with trauma responses like fight, flight, freeze and fawn.
The reality is, perfect safety isn't happening, especially for women and marginalized groups who are constantly having to navigate potential risks.
Instead of having to wait to feel 100% secure before we go after our dreams, I share how I've learned to create a sense of safety that allows me to take risks, use my voice, and show up authentically.
For me, it was about gathering tools, understanding my own triggers, and building relationships with people who truly saw me and supported me.
I also share some practical strategies for feeling “safe enough”, like breathwork techniques that can literally lower your heart rate, body awareness practices, and the importance of knowing yourself.
The goal here isn't to eliminate fear completely, but to develop a bunch of the “R” words - like regulation, responsiveness, and resources, so that you can move forward even when you're a little scared.
The good news is you don't have to have a perfectly regulated nervous system to do amazing things!!
Sometimes you just need to feel safe enough to take that leap of faith, trust yourself, and know you've got effective tools to help you navigate - whatever comes your way.
It also super-duper helps when you and your nervous both know that you're definitely not alone on this journey!
KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Our nervous system's primary question is always, "Am I safe?" which drives our responses to perceived threats.
• Perfect safety is unrealistic, especially for women and marginalized groups who constantly navigate potential risks.
• Feeling "safe enough" means developing tools to regulate your nervous system rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
• Knowing your personal triggers and having strategies to return to calm is more important than avoiding all the stressful situations.
• Breathwork, body awareness techniques, and building supportive relationships are crucial for creating psychological safety.
• We don't have to be completely regulated to pursue our goals - sometimes we need to do things a little scared.
• Self-awareness and curiosity about our patterns and habits are essential for personal growth and interrupting reactive behaviors.
• Creating safety isn't about controlling everything, but about developing resilience and trusting yourself and your support system.
• The goal is to have a nervous system flexible enough to experience fluctuations but capable of returning to a calm state.
• We can't eliminate fear entirely, but we can learn to move through the world with more resources, resilience, and regulation.
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KAREN KENNEY BIO:
Spiritual mentor and writer Karen Kenney uses humor and dynamic storytelling to bring a down-to-earth, no-BS perspective to self-development.
Bringing together tools that coach the conscious and unconscious mind, Karen helps clients deepen their connections with Self, and discover their unique understandings of spirituality.
Her practice combines neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis, somatics, spiritual mentoring, and other holistic modalities to help regulate the nervous system, examine internal narratives, remove blocks, and reimagine what’s possible.
A passionate yoga teacher, long-time student of A Course in Miracles, and Gateless Writing instructor, Karen is a frequent speaker and retreat leader. Via her programs The Quest and The Nest, she coaches individuals and groups.
With The Karen Kenney Podcast, she encourages listeners to shift from a thought system of fear to one of love, compassion, and personal responsibility.
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